Stage, and biological microscope with the stage

ABSTRACT

A stage movable in the X and Y directions includes a base member, first and second moving members, and first and second rotational operation mechanisms. The first moving member is provided with a movement transmission mechanism that allows linear movement of the second moving member in a first direction and causes, when the first moving member moves in a second direction, the first and second moving members to move together in the second direction, and the second moving member is provided with a transmission portion that engages a linear movement member so that it moves upon movement of the linear movement member. The linear movement member transmits movement to the transmission portion to cause the second movement member to move in a first direction and guides the transmission portion upon linear movement of the first and second moving members in the second direction by the movement transmission mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stage that can be moved horizontallyin X and Y directions suitable for a biological microscope and to abiological microscope equipped with such a stage.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, stages for use in, for example, a microscope that can bemoved horizontally in X and Y directions by rotating an operation handlehave been known. In such a stage, if the stage is constructed in such away that the operation handle itself moves together with the stage whenthe stage is moved horizontally, it is necessary for the operator tomove his/her hand following the operation handle. Such a stage is noteasy to operate. In view of this, stages in which the position of theoperation handle is fixed regardless of horizontal movement of the stagehave been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2000-330035).

However, the structures of conventional stages in which the position ofthe handle is fixed are complex, and they suffer from the problem ofhigh manufacturing cost.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-describedproblem and has as an object to provide a stage having a simplestructure and good usability while reducing the cost as compared to thestages having complex structures mentioned above, and to provide amicroscope equipped with such a stage.

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention there isprovided a stage comprising:

a base member;

a first moving member and a second moving member provided on said basemember; and

rotational operation means provided on a lower portion of said basemember for linearly moving said first moving member and said secondmoving member respectively,

wherein said base member is provided with a linear movement memberadapted to move linearly along said base member upon rotation of saidrotational operation means,

said first moving member is provided with a movement transmissionmechanism for moving said first moving member and said second movingmember together along said base member in a direction perpendicular tothe moving direction of said linear movement member,

said second moving member is provided with a transmission portion thatis always in contact with said linear movement member so that saidsecond moving member moves along said first moving member upon linearmovement of said linear movement member, and

said linear movement member causes, upon linear movement of said linearmovement member, said second moving member to move linearly whilerestricting movement of said transmission portion relative to saidlinear movement member with respect to said moving direction, and guidessaid transmission portion upon movement of said first moving member andsaid second moving member in the direction perpendicular to said movingdirection caused by said movement transmission mechanism.

According to a first preferred mode of the present invention, in saidstage, said transmission portion may be linearly movable along saidfirst moving member and provided on a moving member fixed to said secondmoving member.

According to a second preferred mode of the present invention, in thestage according to the present invention or the first preferred mode ofthe invention, said base member may be provided with a guide wheel thatis rotated by rotating said rotational operation means, at least oneguide wheel that is rotatably provided and a belt or wire that connectssaid guide wheels, and said linear movement member may be integrallyfixed to said belt or wire.

According to a third preferred mode of the present invention, in thestage according to the present invention or the first preferred mode ofthe invention, said base member may be provided with a gear that isrotated by rotating said rotational operation means, and guide teethengaging said gear and extending along said moving direction may beprovided on said linear movement member.

A biological microscope according to the present invention is equippedwith a stage according to the present invention or one of the first tothird preferred modes of the invention.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided astage comprising:

a base member;

a first moving member and a second moving member provided on said basemember; and

first and second rotational operation mechanisms provided on a lowerportion of said base member for linearly moving said first moving memberand said second moving member respectively,

wherein a linear movement member that is moved linearly in a firstdirection by the first rotational operation mechanism is provided onsaid base member,

movement conversion transmission means that is moved linearly in asecond direction by the second rotational operation means is provided onthe first moving member,

said first moving member is provided with a movement transmissionmechanism that allows linear movement of said second moving member inthe first direction and causes, when the first moving member linearlymoves in the second direction, said first moving member and said secondmoving member to move together linearly in the second direction,

said second moving member is provided with a transmission portion thatengages said linear movement member so that it moves upon linearmovement of said linear movement member, and

said linear movement member transmits its linear movement to saidtransmission portion to cause said second movement member to movelinearly in said first direction and guides said transmission portionupon linear movement of said first moving member and said second movingmember in said second direction by said movement transmission mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a stage according to the first embodimentof the present invention as seen from its side.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a base member of the stage according tothe first embodiment of the present invention as seen from above.

FIG. 3 is a partly cut-away side view showing the structure of the stageaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen fromthe side opposite to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a first moving member of the stageaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen frombelow.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of a base member of a stage according to asecond embodiment of the present invention, as seen from directly above.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view in the Y direction of a stage accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the stage according to the first and thesecond embodiments of the present invention as seen from above.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the structure of a biological microscope ofan erecting system according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A stage according to the first embodiment of the present invention willbe described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 and 7. In FIG. 1, thestage 1 of this embodiment is composed of a base member 2 to be fixed ona stage mount surface of, for example, a microscope, a first movingmember 3 provided on the base member 2 in such a way as to be movable inthe first direction (Y direction), and a second moving member 4 providedin such a way as to be movable in the second direction (X direction)that is orthogonal to the first direction.

The base member 2 is a plate-like member extending along the X and Ydirections and has an aperture 2 c for allowing illumination light etc.from below the stage 1 to pass through it. A rotational operation means7 is provided on the base member 2 downwardly.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotational operation means 7 is composed of acylindrical support member 7 c fixed to the base member 2 to extenddownwardly, a Y direction operation handle 5 for moving the first movingmember 3 in the Y direction and an X direction operation handle 6 formoving the second moving member 4 in the X direction. The Y directionoperation handle 5 is integrally provided on the bottom of an outershaft 7 b that is rotatably fitted outside the cylindrical supportmember 7 c, the external shaft 7 b having a pinion 9 (which will bedescribed later) on its top end portion. The X direction operationhandle 6 is integrally provided on the bottom of an inner shaft 7 afitted inside the cylindrical support member 7 c, the inner shaft 7 ahaving a drive pulley 11 (which will be described later) on its top endportion. With the above-described structure, it is possible to rotatethe outer shaft 7 b and the inner shaft 7 a by rotating the Y directionoperation handle 5 and the X direction operation handle 6 independentlyto rotate the pinion 9 and the drive pulley 11.

On the right and left end faces of the base member 2, guide grooves 2 a,2 a extending along the Y direction are formed. On the right and leftportions of the first moving member 3, downward projection portions 3 c,3 c that form side surfaces opposed to both the side faces of the basemember 2 are fixed by screws (not shown). On the downward projectionportions 3 c, 3 c, guide grooves 3 a, 3 a opposed to the guide grooves 2a, 2 a and extending along the Y direction are formed. Rollers 8 aredisposed between the opposed guide rollers. The first moving member 3can move along the Y direction relative to the base member 2 by means ofthe above-described guide mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 1, one of the downward projection portions 3 c, 3 cformed on the first moving member 3 is extending downwardly more thanthe other downward projection portion. A rack 10 extending in the Ydirection is provided on the inner side of said one of the downwardprojection portions. A pinion 9 that engages the rack 10 is provided onthe upper end portion of the outer shaft 7 b of the rotational operationmeans 7. The pinion 9 can be rotated by rotating the Y directionoperation handle 5 as described before.

Thus, when the pinion 9 is rotated by rotating the Y direction operationhandle 5, the first moving member 3 moves in the Y direction thanks tothe engagement between the pinion 9 and the rack 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a recess 2 b that opens upwardly is formed on thebase member 2. The drive pulley 11 is rotatably supported on the bottomof the recess 2 b. The drive pulley 11 can be rotated by rotating the Xdirection operation handle 6. In addition, two driven pulleys 12 a, 12 bare rotatably supported on the bottom of the recess 2 b on the basemember 2. A belt 13 is looped around the drive pulley 11 and the twodriven pulleys 12 a, 12 b. The driven pulleys 12 a, 12 b are arranged insuch a way that the belt 13 extends linearly along the X direction. Alinear movement member (or an X direction guide) 14 is fixedly attachedto the belt 13 between the driven pulleys 12 a, 12 b. The X directionguide 14 is moved linearly along the X direction when the X directionoperation handle 6 is rotated. A stopper may be provided for the Xdirection guide 14 to prevent it from moving out of a predeterminedrange, if circumstances demand.

The number and the position of the driven pulleys 12 a, 12 b and themanner in which the belt 13 is looped are not limited to those describedabove, but it should be looped in such a way as to allow linear movementof the X direction guide 14 along the X direction.

On the X direction guide 14, two guides 15 a, 15 b each of which has arolling bearing at its tip end are provided. The rolling bearings of thetwo guides 15 a, 15 b retain therebetween a transmission portion 16 inthe form of a plate-like member extending along the Y direction, asshown in FIG. 3, in such a way that the transmission portion 16 ismovable in the Y direction. Thus, the transmission portion 16 can movein the Y direction, and when the X direction guide 14 moves in the Xdirection, the transmission portion moves in the X direction with the Xdirection guide 14. The aforementioned recess 2 b extends in such a wayas to allow linear movement of the transmission portion 16 in the Ydirection.

Although the rolling bearings are provided at the tip ends of the guides15 a, 15 b to reduce friction between the guides 15 a, 15 b and thetransmission portion 16 as described above, the rolling bearings may bereplaced by bush bearings, or the tip end portion of the guides 15 a, 15b may simply be constructed by a material with a low friction with thetransmission portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first moving member 3 is a plate-like memberextending in the X and Y directions and has an aperture 3 c for allowingillumination light etc. from below the stage 1 to pass through it. Thefirst moving member 3 has a slot 18 extending in the X direction formedthereon. The slot 18 has, on its both sides extending in the Xdirection, guiding linear projections 18 a extending in the X directionformed thereon. An X direction moving member 17 is set in the slot 18.The X direction moving member 17 is, on its both sides extending in theX direction, formed with guide grooves 17 a extending in the X directionand fitted on the guiding linear projections 18 a. Thus, the X directionmoving member 17 can move in the X direction within the slot 18 by meansof rollers or balls provided between the guide grooves 17 a and theguiding linear projections 18 a. On the bottom surface 17 c of the Xdirection moving member 17, a rectangular long groove 17 d extending inthe Y direction is formed. The upper portion of the transmission portion16 is fitted into the rectangular long groove 17 d, so that thetransmission portion 16 is fixed on the bottom surface 17 c of the Xdirection moving member 17. The transmission portion 16 is extending inthe Y direction along the bottom surface of the first moving member 3and has a width nipped by the aforementioned guides 15 a, 15 b so thatit is movable in the Y direction between the guides 15 a, 15 b.

The second moving member 4 is fixed on the bottom surface 17 c of the Xdirection moving member 17. The second moving member 4 is a plate-likemember having an L-shaped cross section and including a portion 4 a thatextends upwardly by and in contact with a side surface of the firstmoving member 3. As shown in FIG. 7, a specimen holder 51 is attached tothe second moving member 4 in such a way that the first moving member 3is sandwiched between the plate-like member and the specimen holder 51.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the stage according to this embodiment asviewed from above. At one edge of the first moving member 3, a part(i.e. the above-described portion 4 a) of the second moving member 4 canbe seen, the specimen holder 51 being attached to this portion. Thespecimen holder 51 holds a slide glass 52. In the stage shown in FIG. 7,an end portion of the transmission portion 16 is seen at one edge of thefirst moving member 3.

When the transmission portion 16 moves in the X direction, the Xdirection moving member 17, the second moving member 4 and the specimenholder 51 also move in the X direction integrally. On the other hand,when the first moving member 3 moves in the Y direction, thetransmission portion 16, the X direction moving member 17, the secondmoving member 4 and the specimen holder 51 also move in the Y directionwith the first moving member 3. Since the transmission portion 16 canmove in the Y direction between the above-described guides 15 a, 15 b ofthe X direction guide 14, the X direction guide 14 does not receive aforce that moves it in the Y direction.

Incidentally, the rack 10 is not illustrated in FIG. 4.

As per the above, in this embodiment, the X direction guide 14 causes,upon linear movement of the X direction guide 14 in the X direction, thesecond moving member 4 to move linearly in the X direction by means ofthe transmission portion 16 and the X direction moving member 17 whilerestricting movement of the transmission portion 16 in the X directionrelative to the X direction guide 14. When the first moving member 3 andthe second moving member 4 integrally move in the Y direction, the Xdirection guide 14 guides the transmission portion 16 along the Ydirection.

The operation of the above-described stage 1 according to thisembodiment will be described.

When a specimen is to be moved in the X direction, the X directionoperation handle 6 is rotated. This causes the drive pulley 11 fixed onthe inner shaft 7 a to rotate, and the belt 13 also moves accordingly.Thus, the X direction guide 14 provided on the belt 13 moves in the Xdirection. This causes the transmission portion 16 retained between theguides 15 a, 15 b of the X direction guide 14 to move in the X directionintegrally with the X direction moving member 17 and the second movingmember 4. By the above-described operation, the second moving member 4is moved in the X direction. Thus, by rotating the X direction operationhandle 6, it is possible to move the specimen held on the specimenholder 51 in the X direction together with the specimen holder 51 fixedon the second moving member 4.

When the specimen is to be moved in the Y direction, the Y directionoperation handle 5 is rotated. This causes the pinion 9 provided on theouter shaft 7 b to rotate, and the rack 10 of the first moving member 3engages the pinion 9. Thus, the first moving member 3 moves in the Ydirection integrally with the second moving member 4. By theabove-described operation, the second moving member 4 moves in the Ydirection. Thus, by rotating the Y direction operation handle 5, it ispossible to move the specimen held by the specimen holder 51 in the Ydirection together with the specimen holder 51 fixed on the secondmoving member 4.

As per the above, it is possible to move the stage 1 according to thisembodiment in the X and Y directions by rotating the Y directionoperation handle 5 and the X direction operation handle 6 that are fixedin their positions and coaxial with each other.

In the stage according to this embodiment, the belt is looped around thedrive pulley and the two driven pulleys, and the X direction guide isattached to the belt, as described above. However, the present inventionis not limited by this feature, and a wire looped around the drivepulley and the two driven pulleys may be used, and the X direction guidemay be attached to that wire.

In the stage 1 according to this embodiment, the two operation handles5, 6 are mounted on the base member 2. Thus, the position of theoperation handles 5, 6 will not change even when the first moving member3 and the second moving member 4 are moved, and they are easy tooperate. Accordingly, if the stage according to this embodiment isinstalled and used in a microscope, a user can perform operations ofmoving the stage easily while observing a specimen through the eyepiece.In addition, the positional relationship between the operation handlesand other operating portions on the microscope, such as a light controlknob and an up-and-down movement handle, will not change. Therefore, itis possible to reduce fatigue of an observer who continues to use themicroscope for a long time.

The stage 1 according to this embodiment can be manufactured usinginexpensive parts and the construction thereof can be made simple, ascompared to conventional stages. Accordingly, it can be manufacturedwith a reduced cost and with a higher degree of precision. It ispossible to construct the stage 1 as what is called a two-plate stage byarranging the X direction guide 14 and the transmission portion 16 inthe recess 2 b formed on the base member 2 without using parts havingcomplex structures to make its thickness substantially equal to thethickness of only the base member 2 and the first moving member 3.Therefore, it is possible to provide a stage that is lighter than whatis called a three-plate stage. In addition, it is possible to provide athin stage that is suitable for a biological microscope.

Although in the stage 1 according to this embodiment, the transmissionportion 16 is disposed on the X direction moving member 17 and theguides 15 a, 15 b are disposed on the base member (the X direction guide14), their dispositions may be reversed.

Second Embodiment

A stage according to the second embodiment of the present invention willbe described with reference to FIG. 5. In the embodiments that will bedescribed in the following, the parts same as those in theabove-described stage according to the first embodiment will bedesignated by the same reference signs to omit redundant descriptions,and only different parts will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the stage 101 according to the second embodiment,a pinion 22 is rotatably set on the bottom of a recess 102 b of a basemember 102. The pinion 22 is provided on the top end portion of theinner shaft 7 a of the rotational operation means 7, in place of thedrive pulley in the first embodiment. The pinion can be rotated byrotating the X direction operation handle 6. An X direction guide 23 isprovided on the bottom of the recess 102 b in such a way as to belinearly movable in the X direction. On one side of the X directionguide 23, a rack 24 extending in the X direction for engagement with thepinion 22 is provided. Thus, when the pinion 22 is rotated by rotatingthe X-direction operation handle 6, the X direction guide 23 is moved inthe X direction by the rack 24.

Two guides 15 a, 15 b each of which has a bearing at its tip end areprovided on the X direction guide 23 as with the X direction guide 14 inthe above-described embodiment. The rolling bearings of the two guides15 a, 15 b retain therebetween a transmission portion 16 (not shown) insuch a way that the transmission portion 16 is movable in the Ydirection. Thus, the transmission portion 16 can move in the Y directionrelative to the X direction guide 23, and when the X direction guide 23moves in the X direction, the transmission portion 16 moves in the Xdirection with the X direction guide 23.

The structure of this embodiment other than those described above is thesame as that of the above-described first embodiment.

The operation of the above-described stage 101 according to thisembodiment will be described. When a specimen is to be moved in the Xdirection, the X direction operation handle 6 is rotated. This causesthe pinion 22 to rotate, and the X direction guide 23 moves in the Xdirection due to engagement of the rack 24 of the X direction guide 23with the pinion 22. Thus, the transmission portion 16 retained betweenthe guides 15 a, 15 b of the X direction guide 23 is moved in the Xdirection integrally with the X direction moving member 17 and thesecond moving member 4. By the above-described operation, the secondmoving member 4 is moved in the X direction. Thus, by rotating the Xdirection operation handle 6, it is possible to move the specimen heldon the specimen holder 51 in the X direction together with the specimenholder 51 fixed on the second moving member 4.

When the specimen is to be moved in the Y direction, the second movingmember 4 is moved in the Y direction by the operation same as that inthe above-described first embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible tomove the specimen held by the specimen holder 51 in the Y directiontogether with the specimen holder 51 fixed on the second moving member 4by rotating the Y direction operation handle 5.

As per the above, in the stage 101 according to this embodiment, it ispossible to move the specimen in the X and Y directions by rotating theY direction operation handle 5 and the X direction operation handle 6,and advantageous effects same as those of the above-described firstembodiment can be realized.

Third Embodiment

A stage according to the third embodiment of the present invention willbe described with reference to FIG. 6. The stage according to thisembodiment is what is called a three-plate stage in which first movingmember and a second moving member are stacked on a base member.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stage 201 according to this embodiment iscomposed of a base member 202 to be fixed on a stage mount surface of amicroscope or the like, a first moving member 203 provided on the basemember 202 in such a way as to be movable in the Y direction and asecond moving member 204 provided on the first moving member 203 in sucha way as to be movable in the X direction.

The base member 202 is a plate-like member extending in the X and Ydirections and has an aperture 202 c for allowing illumination lightetc. from below the stage 201 to pass through it. On the base member202, there is provided rotational operation means 7, a drive pulley 11,driven pulleys 12 a, 12 b, a belt 13 and an X direction guide 14 havingguides 15 a, 15 b, as with the above-described first embodiment.

The first moving member 203 and the second moving member 204 areplate-like members extending in the X and Y directions, each of whichhas an aperture 203 c, 204 c for allowing illumination light etc. frombelow the stage 201 to pass through it. A specimen holder (not shown)for holding a specimen is fixedly set on the top surface of the secondmoving member 204.

The first moving member 203 can move in the Y direction relative to thebase member 202 by means of a guide mechanism (not shown) having thestructure same as the guide mechanism in the above-described firstembodiment for the base member 2 and the first moving member 3.

On the first moving member 203, there is provided a rack 10 extending inthe Y direction and engaging a pinion 9 provided on the upper endportion of the outer shaft 7 b of the rotational operation means 7 aswith the above-described first embodiment, though the rack is not shownin FIG. 6.

Thus, when the pinion 9 is rotated by rotating the Y direction operationhandle 5, the first moving member 203 is moved in the Y direction due toengagement of the pinion 9 and the rack 10.

Guide grooves 203 a, 203 a extending in the X direction are formed onthe left and right sides of the first moving member 203. On the rightand left portions of the second moving member 204, downward projectionportions 204 d, 204 d that form side surfaces opposed to both the sidefaces of the first moving member 203 are integrally formed. On thedownward projection portions 204 d, 204 d of the second moving member204, guide grooves 204 a, 204 a extending in the X direction and opposedto the guide grooves 203 a, 203 a are formed. Rollers 208, 208 are setbetween the opposed guide grooves. With the above-described guidemechanism, the second moving member 204 can move in the X directionrelative to the first moving member 203. A transmission portion 16 isfixed on the bottom surface of one of the downward projection portions204 a, 204 a formed on the second moving member 204. Thus, when thetransmission portion 16 moves in the X direction, the second movingmember 204 also moves in the X direction integrally with it. On theother hand, when the first moving member 203 moves in the Y direction,the transmission portion 16 and the second moving member 204 also movein the Y direction with the first moving member 203.

As per the above, in this embodiment, the X direction guide 14 causes,upon linear movement of the X direction guide 14 in the X direction, thesecond moving member 204 to move linearly in the X direction whilerestricting movement of the transmission portion 16 in the X directionrelative to the X direction guide 14 to cause the transmission portion16 to move together. When the first moving member 203 and the secondmoving member 204 integrally move in the Y direction, the X directionguide 14 guides the transmission portion 16 along the Y direction.

The operation of the above-described stage according to this embodimentwill be described.

When the specimen is to be moved in the X direction, the X directionoperation handle 6 is rotated. This causes the drive pulley 11integrally formed on the inner shaft 7 a to rotate, and the belt 13 alsomoves accordingly. Thus, the X direction guide 14 provided on the belt13 moves in the X direction. This causes the transmission portion 16retained between the guides 15 a, 15 b of the X direction guide 14 tomove in the X direction integrally with the second moving member 204. Bythe above-described operation, the second moving member 204 is moved inthe X direction. Thus, by rotating the X direction operation handle 6,it is possible to move the specimen held on the specimen holder on thesecond moving member 204 in the X direction.

When the specimen is to be moved in the Y direction, the Y directionoperation handle 5 is rotated. This causes the pinion 9 integral withthe outer shaft 7 b to rotate, and the rack 10 of the first movingmember 203 engages the pinion 9. Thus, the first moving member 203 movesin the Y direction integrally with the second moving member 204. By theabove-described operation, the second moving member 204 moves in the Ydirection. Thus, by rotating the Y direction operation handle 5, it ispossible to move the specimen held by the specimen holder on the secondmoving member 204 in the Y direction.

As per the above, it is possible to move the stage 201 according to thisembodiment in the X and Y directions by rotating the Y directionoperation handle 5 and the X direction operation handle 6. Thus, theadvantageous effects same as those of the above-described firstembodiment can be realized.

The stage 201 according to this embodiment is what is called athree-plate stage, and it may be used in industrial microscopes etc.

Fourth Embodiment

A biological microscope of an erecting system according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the structure of the biological microscope ofan erecting system according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

The biological microscope of an erecting system (which will be simplyreferred to as a microscope hereinafter) 40 according to this embodimentis a biological microscope of an erecting system equipped with a stage50 having the structure same as the above-described stage according tothe first embodiment.

In FIG. 8, a specimen (not shown) placed on the stage 50 is illuminatedby illumination light from a transmission illumination unit 42. Lighttransmitted through the specimen is guided to an eyepiece observationunit 44 via an objective lens 43 and an optical system (not shown)provided in the main body of the microscope. Thus, the observer canobserve the specimen with a naked eye. The stage 50 will be describedlater.

The specimen (not shown) placed on the stage 50 is illuminated by, forexample in the case of fluorescence observation, excitation light fromthe illumination unit 45. Thus, fluorescence light generated from thespecimen is guided to an image-taking and observation portion (notshown) via the objective lens 43 and the optical system (not shown). Inthis way, the observer can perform fluorescence observation of thespecimen.

In the microscope 40 according to this embodiment, the stage 50 ismounted on a stage mount surface 47 a of a sub-stage 47 which can bemoved up and down by rotating a stage up-and-down handle 46. In themicroscope 40 according to this embodiment, the stage 50 realizesadvantageous effects same as those of the above-described stageaccording to the first embodiment.

The stage according to the second or the third embodiment may also beused as the stage of the microscope 40 according to this embodiment.

The stage of the microscope 40 according to this embodiment can beoperated without causing serious fatigue, and it can reduce fatigue ofthe observer who continues observation for a long time. Since the stage50 of the microscope 40 according to this embodiment has a simplestructure using inexpensive parts, a reduction in the cost can beachieved.

As described above, in this embodiment, the stage of the presentinvention is applied to a microscope of an erecting system. However, theinvention is not limited by this feature, but the stage according to thepresent invention may be applied to inverted microscopes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a stagehaving a simple structure and good usability, and a microscope equippedwith such a stage.

1. A stage comprising: a base member extending in an X direction and a Ydirection, in which said Y direction is perpendicular to said Xdirection; a recess portion that is formed on said base member extendingin said X direction; a linear movement member that is disposed in saidrecess portion and movable in said X direction; a first moving memberthat is provided on said base member and movable in said Y directionwith respect to said base member the first moving member defining a slotextending in said X direction; and an X direction moving member that isdisposed in said slot and movable in said X direction along said slot,wherein said X direction moving member is always engaged with saidlinear movement member and a second moving member which is movedtogether with said X direction moving member in said X direction, andhas a transmission portion that guides said first moving member to movein said Y direction with respect to said base member, said second movingmember has a specimen holder that is disposed on said first movingmember, and said linear movement member has two guides, and saidtransmission portion that is extending in said Y direction and guidessaid second moving member and said X direction moving member togetherwith said first moving member in said Y direction along said guides. 2.The stage according to claim 1, wherein said transmission portion has alength longer than a moving range in said Y direction of said firstmoving member that is moved on said base member in said Y direction. 3.A stage comprising: a base member extending in an X direction and a Ydirection, in which said Y direction is perpendicular to said Xdirection; a recess portion that is formed on said base member extendingin said X direction; a linear movement member that is disposed in saidrecess portion and movable in said X direction; a first moving memberthat is provided on said base member and movable in said Y directionwith respect to said base member, the first moving member defining aslot extending in said X direction; and an X direction moving memberthat is disposed in said slot and movable in said X direction alone saidslot, wherein said X direction moving member is always engaged with saidlinear movement member and a second moving member which is movedtogether with said X direction moving member in said X direction, andhas a transmission portion that guides said first moving member to movein said Y direction with respect to said base member, said second movingmember has a specimen holder that is disposed on said first movingmember, and said slot is an aperture that is formed on said first movingmember and extending in said X direction.
 4. A stage comprising: a basemember extending in an X direction and a Y direction, in which said Ydirection is perpendicular to said X direction; a recess portion that isformed on said base member extending in said X direction; a linearmovement member that is disposed in said recess portion and movable insaid X direction; a first moving member that is provided on said basemember and movable in said Y direction with respect to said base member,the first moving member defining a slot extending in said X direction;an X direction moving member that is disposed in said slot and movablein said X direction along said slot; and X and Y operation membersrespectively rotatably fixed to said base member in order to move saidfirst moving member in said Y direction and said second moving member insaid X direction on said base member, wherein said X direction movingmember is always engaged with said linear movement member and a secondmoving member which is moved together with said X direction movingmember in said X direction, and has a transmission portion that guidessaid first moving member to move in said Y direction with respect tosaid base member, said second moving member has a specimen holder thatis disposed on said first moving member, said X and Y operation membershave respectively a drive member for moving said linear movement memberin said X direction and a pinion that is engaged with said first movingmember in said Y direction with respect to said base member, and saidfirst moving member has a rack to engage with said pinion, and saidfirst moving member equipped with said rack is moved in said Y directionby operating said Y operation member to rotate said pinion.
 5. The stageaccording to claim 4, wherein said drive member is composed of a belt onwhich said linear movement member is fixed and a plurality of slidingrods enabling said belt to be rotated.
 6. The stage according to claim5, wherein said drive member to which said linear movement member isfixed is an X direction guide on which a rack is formed and a pinionwhich is engaged with said rack.
 7. A stage comprising: a base memberextending in an X direction and a Y direction, in which said Y directionis perpendicular to said X direction; a recess portion that is formed onsaid base member extending in said X direction; a linear movement memberthat is disposed in said recess portion and movable in said X direction;a first moving member that is provided on said base member and movablein said Y direction with respect to said base member, the first movingmember defining a slot extending in said X direction; and an X directionmoving member that is disposed in said slot and movable in said Xdirection along said slot, wherein said X direction moving member isalways engaged with said linear movement member and a second movingmember which is moved together with said X direction moving member insaid X direction, and has a transmission portion that guides said firstmoving member to move in said Y direction with respect to said basemember, said second moving member has a specimen holder that is disposedon said first moving member, and an aperture for allowing illuminationlight to path therethrough is formed each of said base member and saidfirst moving member.
 8. A stage comprising: a base member extending inan X direction and a Y direction, in which said Y direction isperpendicular to said X direction; a recess portion that is formed onsaid base member extending in said X direction; a linear movement memberthat is disposed in said recess portion and movable in said X direction;a first moving member that is provided on said base member and movablein said Y direction with respect to said base member, the first movingmember defining a slot extending in said X direction; and an X directionmoving member that is disposed in said slot and movable in said Xdirection along said slot, wherein said X direction moving member isalways engaged with said linear movement member and a second movingmember which is moved together with said X direction moving member insaid X direction, and has a transmission portion that guides said firstmoving member to move in said Y direction with respect to said basemember, said second moving member has a specimen holder that is disposedon said first moving member, and said recess portion and said slot aredisposed facing each other upon setting said first moving member on saidbase member, and said linear movement member is engaged with saidtransmission portion.
 9. A stage comprising: a base member extending inan X direction and a Y direction, in which said Y direction isperpendicular to said X direction; a recess portion that is formed onsaid base member extending in said X direction; a linear movement memberthat is disposed in said recess portion and movable in said X direction;a first moving member that is provided on said base member and movablein said Y direction with respect to said base member, the first movingmember defining a slot extending in said X direction; and an X directionmoving member that is disposed in said slot and movable in said Xdirection along said slot, wherein said X direction moving member isalways engaged with said linear movement member and a second movingmember which is moved together with said X direction moving member insaid X direction, and has a transmission portion that guides said firstmoving member to move in said Y direction with respect to said basemember, said second moving member has a specimen holder that is disposedon said first moving member, and said linear movement member hasprojections to engage with said transmission portion.
 10. A stagecomprising: a base member extending in an X direction and a Y direction,in which said Y direction is perpendicular to said X direction; a recessportion that is formed on said base member extending in said Xdirection; a linear movement member that is disposed in said recessportion and movable in said X direction; a first moving member that isprovided on said base member and movable in said Y direction withrespect to said base member, the first moving member defining a slotextending in said X direction; and an X direction moving member that isdisposed in said slot and movable in said X direction along said slot,wherein said X direction moving member is always engaged with saidlinear movement member and a second moving member which is movedtogether with said X direction moving member in said X direction, andhas a transmission portion that guides said first moving member to movein said Y direction with respect to said base member, said second movingmember has a specimen holder that is disposed on said first movingmember, and said second moving member is a plate-like member having anL-shape and including a portion that extends upwardly by and in contactwith a side surface of said first moving member.